Attention Wacka Flocka: Lyricism Makes Money (Video)

Although he's been on a bit of a politics and random other ish kick lately, one of my favorite bloggers Jay Smooth today took a minute to break down one of hip-hop's most popular myths - that lyrical hip-hop doesn't sell - using none other than everyone's favorite flame Wacka Flocka as the springboard for his commentary. In fact, Smooth made such a great point that I'd thought we'd delve into the lyrics vs. cash debate a little further. First, the video:



Just like the statistics revolution in baseball revealed that a lot of players were either wildly overrated or underrated, the wealth of information on the internet now enables us to easily break down some of hip-hop's biggest myths. So, does Smooth's central thesis, that lyricism is actually exponentially more profitable than hook-heavy tracks, hold up historically? Absolutely. Here's a list of the top 30 hip-hop/r&b albums of all-time (definitely a statistically significant sample).

1. Michael Jackson - Thriller (Epic Records, 1982) - 29 times platinum
2. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard (Arista Records, 1992) - 17 times platinum
3. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston (Arista Records, 1985) - 13 times platinum
4. Prince - Purple Rain (Warner Bros., 1984) - 13 times platinum
5. Boyz II Men - II (Motown Records, 1994) - 12 times platinum
6. Kid Rock - Devil Without A Cause Atlantic Records, 1998)- 11 times platinum
7. TLC - CrazySexyCool (LaFace Records, 1994) - 11 times platinum
8. OutKast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (LaFace Records, 2003) - 11 times platinum
9. Mariah Carey - Music Box (Columbia Records, 1993) - 10 times platinum
10. MC Hammer - Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (Capitol Records, 1990) - 10 times platinum
11. Mariah Carey - Daydream (Columbia Records, 1995) - 10 times platinum
12. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (Motown Records, 1976) - 10 times platinum
13. The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death - (Bad Boy Records, 1997) - 10 times platinum
14. Usher - Confessions (LaFace Records, 2004) - 10 times platinum
15. Eminem - The Eminem Show (Aftermath Records, 2002) - 9 times platinum
16. Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey (Columbia Records, 1990) - 9 times platinum
17. Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony (Motown Records, 1991) - 9 times platinum
18. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (Aftermath Records\Interscope Records, 2000)- 9 times platinum
19. Whitney Houston - Whitney (Arista Records, 1987) - 9 times platinum
20. Tupac Shakur - All Eyez On Me (Death Row Records, 1996) - 9 times platinum
21. Will Smith - Big Willie Style (Columbia Records, 1997) - 9 times platinum
22. Tupac Shakur - Greatest Hits (Death Row Records, 1998) - 9 times platinum
23. R. Kelly - R. (Jive Records, 1998) - 8 times platinum
24. Toni Braxton - Secrets (LaFace Records, 1996) - 8 times platinum
25. Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton (LaFace Records, 1993) - 8 times platinum
26. Destiny's Child - The Writing's on the Wall (Columbia Records, 1999) - 8 times platinum
27. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (Ruffhouse Records, 1998) - 8 times platinum
28. Michael Jackson - Bad (Epic Records, 1987) - 8 times platinum
29. Michael Jackson - Off the Wall (Epic Records, 1979) - 8 times platinum
30. Nelly - Country Grammar (Universal Records, 2000) - 8 times platinum

Setting the r&b albums aside, it can't be a coincidence that some of the most intensely lyrical artists in hip-hop history (Eminem, Biggie, Tupac, Outkast) appear on this list. As for the outliers, MC Hammer's complete collapse seems to only prove that fad rap is simply unsustainable, and I would point out both that despite his radio-friendly reputation Nelly is actually a capable lyricist, and that he's also struggled lately (his last album Brass Knuckles was a flop). Will Smith's really the only notable exception to the rule here, but I'd argue that his movie star status and widespread appeal are what vaulted him onto this list.

Now I know what you're thinking; most of these albums are old. The times have changed, disposable hits now rule the day. Ok then, let's take a look at the top selling albums of 2009.

1) Jay-Z - Blueprint 3
2) Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
3) Eminem - Relapse
4) Ludacris - Theater of the Mind
5) T.I. - Paper Trail

Yep, that's a pretty lyrical bunch. Again, I know people are going to say that singles, not albums, are what really drive the industry now, so just to really seal the deal, let's take the opposite approach and look at the biggest selling singles over the last ten years by non-lyrical rappers who didn't already have established careers. My notes on the current state of their career is in parentheses.

1) Chingy - Right Thurr (Dead)
2) Juvenille - Slow Motion (Decent)
3) Yung Joc - It's Goin Down (Struggling)
4) Petey Pablo - Freek-A-Leek (Dead)
5) J-Kwon - Tipsy (Dead)

So contrary to popular belief, it actually seems like if you're a new artist a big, non-lyrical hit single is almost a guarantee that you won't be around at all in five years.

Now this isn't to say that artists shouldn't make fun, entertaining music. It definitely has it's place in the game, and I get down as much as anyone, but I can't tell you how many aspiring rappers have said to me, "If you really want to make money you have to drop the lyrics and go pop." Wrong. That pop hit may get you rpaid for a minute, but if you actually want to be flying on that G-5 jet on your way to Paris, you're gonna have to get your lyrical game up. Men lie, women lie, numbers don't.